Words / B2

in-THYOOZ-ee-ast/ɪnˈθjuːziæst/

An enthusiast is a person who is very interested in a subject or activity: a railway enthusiast; an enthusiast for. Fan is everyday; amateur can be close; devotee is stronger. An enthusiast in the source is not a sampling frame; still name the club if given. Mix-up: enthusiast vs enthusiastic (the adjective); euthanasia; do not write enthusiast for a paid expert unless the source says so.

Meaning

A person who is very interested in a subject or activity.

Examples

• “An enthusiast in the source is not a sampling frame; still name the club if given.”
• “A keen enthusiast featured in the oral history, which is the amateur-expert sense — still name the collection.”

Good to know

a + noun + enthusiast; an enthusiast for. Adjective: enthusiastic. Close: fan / amateur / devotee. Trap: a sampling frame. History, media, and methods. A keen amateur of a subject — name the club; not a random sample.

Near in meaning

fan, devotee, amateur

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